Hands-free bluetooth car system

ABSTRACT

A hands-free Bluetooth system is described. The Bluetooth system comprises a base unit and a controller unit. The controller includes a built-in speaker, a built-in microphone and a control button configured to receive an action from a user and transmit a signal which corresponds to the action to the base unit. The controller unit automatically pairs through Bluetooth to the base unit and directs audio signals received from the base unit to the built-in speaker. The base unit pairs through Bluetooth to a smartphone. The base connects to an audio system through an audio connection. Upon receiving a signal for an incoming call through the smartphone, the base unit tests whether it is connected to the speaker of the audio system. If it is connected, the base unit directs the incoming call to the audio system. However, if it is not connected, the base unit directs the incoming call to the controller.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate to methods and systems for Bluetooth carsystems, and in particular to smartphone hands-free Bluetooth carsystems.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to this disclosure, a hands-free Bluetooth system isdescribed. The Bluetooth system comprises a base unit and a controllerunit. The controller includes a built-in speaker, a built-in microphoneand a control button configured to receive an action from a user andtransmit a signal which corresponds to the action to the base unit. Thecontroller unit automatically pairs through Bluetooth to the base unitand directs audio signals received from the base unit to the built-inspeaker. The base unit pairs through Bluetooth to a smartphone. The baseconnects to an audio system through an audio connection. Upon receivinga signal for an incoming call through the smartphone, the base unittests whether it is connected to the speaker of the audio system. If itis connected, the base unit directs the incoming call to the audiosystem. However, if it is not connected, the base unit directs theincoming call to the controller.

The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent features of thedisclosed subject matter. These features should be construed to bemerely illustrative. Many other beneficial results can be attained byapplying the disclosed subject matter in a different manner or bymodifying the invention as will be described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are not necessarily to scale or exhaustive. Instead,emphasis is generally placed upon illustrating the principles of theembodiments described herein. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in this specification and constitute a part of it,illustrate several embodiments consistent with the disclosure. Togetherwith the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system according to some embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing system detection of a user selection of astereo frequency in some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention which includes aLarge FM antenna under the dash for minimum interference;

FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of the process that the user goes through aplurality of frequencies to look for a preset frequency withoutinterference;

FIG. 5 depicts a flow diagram showing a phone call procedure accordingto some embodiments;

FIG. 6 depicts a flow diagram showing a phone call procedure accordingto some embodiments;

FIG. 7 depicts a flow diagram showing a phone call procedure accordingto some embodiments;

FIG. 8 depicts a flow diagram showing a phone call procedure accordingto some embodiments;

FIG. 9 shows a guideline for suggested equipment placement according tosome embodiments;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing that the system connects the incoming phonesignals to either the car stereo or to the controller speaker; and

FIG. 11 shows a flow diagram of a preferred embodiment of the inventionin which the system constantly checks whether to direct sound to thestereo or the controller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.The same or similar reference numbers or identifications may be used inthe drawings or in the description to refer to the same or similarparts. Also, similarly named elements may perform similar functions andmay be similarly designed, unless specified otherwise. Details are setforth to provide an understanding of the exemplary embodiments.Embodiments, e.g., alternative embodiments, may be practiced withoutsome of these details. In other instances, well known techniques,procedures, and components have not been described in detail to avoidobscuring the described embodiments.

Various embodiments disclose methods and a system for a hands-freeBluetooth adapter system as described below. In some embodiments, theadapter system is called a Virtuoso system.

The following describes some of the features in various embodiments andthe mechanisms for implementing those features.

In one preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a smartphonehands-free Bluetooth kit with factory-installed features. Theembodiments of the invention enable a car without a built-in factoryinstalled Bluetooth system to perform similarly to the features of sucha system. While embodiments of the invention closely mimic afactory-installed system, they differ in the respect of automaticallyswitching from AM/FM/CD/Cassette audio feeds to Bluetooth audio feeds.

In embodiments of the invention, the driver hears the smartphone'soutput through the controller's speaker (added by embodiments of theinvention), until the driver presses “AUX” or tunes to the optional FMtransmitter's frequency, whereupon the smartphone's output istransmitted to the automobile's speakers. Embodiments of the inventionallow the user to turn down the AM/FM/CD/Cassette volume when theyprefer to listen to a phone call through the controller's speaker. Inembodiments of the invention, the controller's speaker is of a lowerfidelity than the speakers provided with most automobile stereo systems.A user can easily perform this function, i.e. opt to listen through thecontroller speaker, by manually turning the volume down and up orturning off the stereo.

In a preferred embodiment, the system is “universal” in that it works inall makes of cars whether or not the existing car stereo systems haveaux-in ports. Embodiments support both 3.5 mm aux-in and FMtransmissions to the car stereo. The user can enjoy both high-fidelitymusic and phone call output through built-in car stereo speakers.Embodiments of the system also have the capability to answer and placecalls while the smartphone output is not playing though the stereospeakers. For example, the user hears the phone ring even when playingFM or CD music or when the stereo is off which is a problem with priorart hands-free kits. In preferred embodiments, the music gradually mutesand pauses when phone calls start.

In preferred embodiments, the modular microphone placement allows theuser flexibility in configuring the system to his needs. The user canchoose to place the microphone on the sun visor, dash, or even on thesteering wheel. The embodiments include modular connectors and mountingsystems. The microphone uses a power cord and a long life battery. Thebattery life of the microphone is long (days), to very long (weeks), toexternally powered (essentially infinite. Microphones on prior art unitsare usually not placed in convenient places for connecting a power cord,but rely on their internal battery's life. With this embodiment'smodular microphone placement, the microphone and speaker in thecontroller unit can be placed where power cords can be discretelyconfigured. The microphone can be placed on the visor where embodimentscan also attach an external battery, e.g., like those designed to extendthe battery life of smartphones.

In embodiments of the invention, the system pairs easily via Bluetoothwith the smartphone. An automatic Bluetooth discovery mode for pairingis executed when the base unit is turned on. The system takes care ofpairing without additional user interaction by re-pairing automaticallywhen the car power is turned off and then back on.

Embodiments of the invention incorporate a hidden base-unit, optional FMtransmitter unit, and optional large FM antenna, all of which can beplaced under the dash. The placement of the components under the dashallows easy access to the cigarette plug DC voltage. This placement alsomakes it easy to route audio connections to the car stereo's 3.5 mm AUXjack (if available).

Embodiments of the invention include an optional FM transmitter whichmaximizes FM reception to minimize static when the interface between thecar stereo and base unit is through the FM radio. Embodiments autodetectsmartphone output and play the smartphone output through one of multiplefrequencies to which the FM receiver can be tuned by the user. Usingmultiple frequencies is advantageous if there is interference betweenthe base unit frequency transmitting the smartphone output and an FMradio station. The user simply dials to an empty spot on the dial, oneof the alternative frequencies, to eliminate the interference betweenthe FM radio stations and the broadcast FM signal from the base unit. Ifthe driver does not want to hear the smartphone output, but insteadlisten to an FM station, they can stop the music on the smartphone.Alternatively, the user can tune to a different station, while the FMtransmitter from the system base unit continues transmitting through thecar stereo, but there is no sound from the smartphone, as the car stereois tuned to a different station.

FIG. 1 shows a system 100 according to some preferred embodiments. Inthese embodiments of the invention, all paths go through the base unit110, with no direct path from the smartphone 130 to the controller 120.In some embodiments of the invention, the base unit 110 controls theaudio paths so phone calls are not missed, and the sound from thesmartphone 130 plays though the stereo 150 anytime the smartphone audiopath is connected to the car stereo 150. In embodiments of theinvention, some of the illustrated system components are optional andnot included in the particular implementation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the base unit 110 pairs through Bluetooth to both tothe smartphone 130 (normal Bluetooth pairing 115) and the controller 120(factory Bluetooth pairing 113). In embodiments of the invention, thecontroller 120 can be located on the dash or visor of the car accordingto preferences of the user. With the base unit 110 paired via Bluetoothto both the smartphone 130 and the controller unit 120, neither thesmartphone 130 nor the controller 120 unit knows when the base unit 110changes its speaker output between the car stereo speakers 152 and thesystem controller's speaker 122. In preferred embodiments, the base unit110 can change the audio out destination as needed.

The controller 120 is factory-paired via Bluetooth with base unit 110 inpreferred embodiments to bypass issues with the Bluetooth protocolswhere the smartphone 130 pairs directly with the control unit 120 andthen after a phone call terminates, and the system cannot reestablish anaudio path from the smartphone 130 to the stereo 150. As configured, theuser of the system 100 does not miss calls when the base unit output isnot connected to the car stereo speakers 152, and automatically switchesthe smartphone output to the controller's speaker 122 when thesmartphone's output cannot be connected to or detected at the stereo'sspeakers 152. The smartphone output cannot be connected to the carstereo speakers 152 when the car stereo 150 is not set to the AUX inputin the wired embodiment, or to the appropriate preset FM station in theFM transmitter embodiment. Either of these conditions can be sensed bythe base unit 110.

In preferred embodiments, the smartphone input and output is transmittedto the system 130, due to the smartphone 130 pairing with the basestation 110 over Bluetooth. In these embodiments, the smartphone 130pairs only with the base unit 110 and the controller 120 is factorypaired to the base unit. The controller 120 controls the speaker 122 andmicrophone 124 which are part of the controller 120. Thus, the base unit110 is in control of the audio routes; it can route the controllermicrophone 124 to the smartphone's input. Also, in preferredembodiments, the base unit 110 attempts to route the smartphone's outputto the stereo speakers 152. The base unit 110 constantly tests if thesmartphone 130 is outputting through the stereo speakers 152. If not,and the base unit 110 cannot route the smartphone output to the carstereo speakers 152, it routes the smartphone's output to the controllerspeaker 122.

Thus, if a phone call comes while the smartphone's output cannot beheard through the stereo speakers 152, the phone call can be heardthrough the controller's speaker 122. If, and when, the base unit 110detects that the smartphone output can be routed through the stereospeakers 152, in preferred embodiment, the base unit 110 reestablishesthat route. The base unit 110 dynamically determines if the user canhear smartphone's output through the stereo's speakers 152. In apreferred embodiment, the base unit 110 periodically plays an inaudibletone, e.g., outside the normal range of human hearing, through the carstereo's 3.5 mm AUX jack or though the optional FM transmitter 140. Ifthe base unit 110 detects the tone through the controller's microphone124, it switches the output to the stereo 150. Otherwise, the base unit110 switches the smartphone output to the controller speaker 122.

Referring to FIG. 1, preferred embodiments of the invention have thesystem elements packaged in the following components: The base unit 110which is powered by the car's DC power 135A. The base unit 110 connectsthrough a USB power cable 118 using an adapter which fits in a cigarettelighter plug. The base unit 110 has an on-off switch 116 which initiatesthe pairing mode when the base unit 110 is turned on. The base unit 110continues the pairing mode until paired with the controller 120 andsmartphone 130. In embodiments, the base unit 110 also has a wire 112equipped a 3.5 mm jack which can plug into a 3.5 mm stereo jack. Anotherwire 114 plugs into an optional FM transmitter 140. The base unit 110 isfactory-paired Bluetooth 4.0 to the controller 120 and normally pairedBluetooth 4.0 to smartphone. The factory paired transmission path 113and the normally paired transmission path 115 are illustrated as dottedlines in the figure. In preferred embodiments, the base unit 110 isgenerally located under the dash. An under dashboard mount may beincluded for discrete placement of the base unit as part of a kit.

The controller 120 is factory Bluetooth paired to base unit 110. Inpreferred embodiments it includes a high-fidelity, sound-cancelingmicrophone 124 for placing phone calls and a low-fidelity speaker 122which is used when the smartphone output cannot be routed to the stereospeakers 152. The stereo speakers 152 may be unavailable because thestereo 150 is off, playing the radio, or playing CDs, among otherreasons. Between the controller speaker 122 and the car stereo speakers152, the base unit 110 always has a method of notifying the driver thata phone call is coming in. In preferred embodiments, the controller 120has a large pushbutton 126 to be used to answer an incoming call or toterminate a call, e.g., by pressing the pushbutton. The pushbutton 126and other controls 127, 128, 129 on the controller 120 can be used tocontrol functions on the smartphone 130 via the base unit 110. A dial(not pictured) can adjust the smartphone's output volume. The pushbutton126 if pressed and held can to initiate voice recognition, if available,on the smartphone 130. If pressed twice, the pushbutton 126 will causethe smartphone 130 to automatically call back the previous outgoingcall. Additional buttons for smartphone control include music playercontrols, e.g., Play/Pause, “>” 129, Previous song “<<”, 127, Next song“>>” 128. Embodiments of the invention use Audio/Video Remote ControlProfile (AVRCP) technology so that the controller 120 can communicatewith the base unit 110. Other features of the controller 120 include aninternal rechargeable battery 123, a USB power cord 125 to connect tocar's DC power 135B, a connection to an external rechargeable battery(not pictured), an on-off switch (not pictured) and modular mountinghardware such as a visor-clip mount 132 and a dashboard mount 134.

In a preferred embodiment, other items which are present in a kit forinstallation of the system include a triple-USB-socket power adapter(not pictured) for insertion in a cigarette lighter socket whichsupplies DC voltage, two USB power cords—one for the base unit 110 andone for the mic/speaker/controller unit 120, modular 3.5 mm audiocord(s) 112, 114 one of which plugs into the base unit 110 and plugsinto the 3.5 mm AUX stereo jack and one of which plugs into the baseunit and plugs into the 3.5 mm FM transmitter jack. These cords arepreferably standard type cords so that they can be easily replaced withdifferent-length 3^(rd) party cords. When a triple-USB-socket poweradapter is used, the base unit 110, the controller 120 and the FMtransmitter 140 can all be powered by the same lighter socket 135, thatis, 135A, B and C would merge in the diagram.

The optional FM transmitter includes an FM transmitter unit 140, anunder-dash mounting unit for the FM transmitter (not pictured), a largeexternal FM antenna 142, an under-dash mounting unit for the FM antenna(not pictured) and a power cord 143 to be installed to the car's DCvoltage 135C. A manual (not pictured) can be supplied to aid ininstallation and operation of the system.

The system 100 pairs easily via Bluetooth with the smartphone 130. Thesystem enters discovery mode when the power switch is turned on. Inpreferred embodiments, the base unit 110 does not impair with thesmartphone 130 while in pairing mode. In alternative embodiments, thebase unit 110 unpairs if the controller's large button 126 is pressedfor, for example, ten seconds. The controller 120 and base unit 110 arefactory paired. In preferred embodiments, the controller 120 and baseunit 110 never unpair.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing system detection of a user selection of astereo frequency in some embodiments of the invention. In the drawing,the driver has selected one of a plurality of preset frequencies and thesystem base unit finds the selected frequency. The user selects one ofthese frequencies without station interference. In the illustrativeembodiment, there are four factory-set frequencies in the low band ofthe dial, e.g., 88.3, 88.7. 89.1, and 89.5. In step 201, the frequencyof the base unit is set to the first preset frequency. The base unitconstantly listens for the inaudible signal or “watermark”, step 203,and if not detected, changes the frequency to the next of the presets insequence. As discussed below with reference to FIG. 4, in preferredembodiments, the base unit uses the FM transmitter and FM antenna totransmit on the frequencies in sequence with the listening.

In the following steps, the system searches through the four frequenciesuntil it detects the watermark which is being transmitted. In step 205,the system listens for the watermark for a period of time, e.g., threeseconds, before changing frequencies. If the system detects thewatermark signal in step 205, the system knows that the smartphoneoutput can be routed to the car speakers. The monitoring continues sincea condition may change with the car stereo making the car stereospeakers unavailable to the smartphone output. If the system has notdetected the watermark signal, it round robins through the frequencies.In step 207, it increments the frequency count. If the frequency countis not over four, step 209, the system returns to listen for theinaudible watermark signal through the sound that is playing, step 205.If the frequency count is over 4, in step 211, the frequency count isset to 1 so that the system can continue to round robin through thefrequencies transmitting and listening for the watermark.

FIG. 3 shows that some embodiments of the invention include a large FMantenna 307 under the dash for minimum interference. In the drawing, thesystem is operating in a music mode where a music app is playing on thesmart phone 301. The output of the smartphone 301 is received by thebase unit 303 by means of the Bluetooth connection 302. The base unit303 forwards the music output by means of a cable 304 with standard 3.5mm jacks to the FM transmitter 305. The FM transmitter 305 transmits thesmartphone output, e.g., music output, on a user selected FM frequencyvia cable 306 to the FM antenna 307 so that the FM signal can bereceived by the car stereo and played on the car stereo speakers (bothnot pictured).

FIG. 4 shows the process that the user goes through in tuning the FMtransmitter successively through a plurality of frequencies looking fora frequency that does not have interference. As discussed above, thesystem goes through a parallel process to determine which frequency theuser has selected. As shown, the car stereo 401 is tuned to the firstpreset frequency, e.g., 88.3. The car stereo 401 plays the signal itreceives from antenna 403 on speakers 402. The user initially tunes thesystem to the first preset, e.g., 88.3, and then determines whetherthere is station interference in step 405 by listening to the output ofthe speaker. If there is station interference, the user will try asuccession of the preset stations, e.g., 88.7, 89.1, 89.5, until one ofthe presets is found without station interference. Then, in step 407,once a station without interference is found, the smartphone musicoutput is played through the car stereo 401.

FIG. 5 shows a phone call procedure according to an embodiment for theuser to answer the phone hands free using the system. Some embodimentsprovide multiple modes for placing and answering phone calls. Asillustrated, in step 501, music is playing from the smartphone output.In step 503, ringtones are heard by the user. If the user wants to takethe call, the user can activate the controller by pressing the mainbutton, step 505. In step 507, the music mutes and pauses and the phoneconversation takes place, step 509. The phone call ends either by theother party ending the call, or the user pushing the main button to endthe call, step 511. After the call ends, the music resumes from thesmartphone output, step 513.

FIG. 6 shows a phone call procedure according to an embodiment in whichthe user manually dials a phone number (not hands free). As shown in thedrawing, the music is playing in step 601. The user wishes to make thecall and begins dialing to start the call on the smartphone in step 603.In step 605, the music mutes and pauses and the phone conversation takesplace, step 607. The phone call ends either by the other party endingthe call, or by the user pushing the main button to end the call, step609. After the call ends, the music resumes from the smartphone output,step 611.

FIG. 7 shows a phone call procedure according to an embodiment where theuser places a call using voice recognition (hands free). In step 701,the music from the smartphone is playing. In step 703, the user wishesto invoke voice recognition dialing from the smartphone, so the userexecutes a long press on the main button of the system controller. Themusic mutes and pauses, step 705. The user can now use the controllermicrophone to communicate back to the smartphone to utilize thesmartphone voice recognition function in step 707. The phoneconversation takes place, step 709. The phone call ends either by theother party ending the call, or the user pushing the main button to endthe call, step 711. After the call ends, the music resumes from thesmartphone output, step 713.

FIG. 8 shows a phone call procedure according to embodiment which placesa call to a most recently called phone number (hands free). In step 801,the music is playing from the user's smartphone. In step 803, the userdouble clicks the main button of the controller. In step 805, the musicmutes and then pauses. The system then places that phone call to themost recently called phone number, step 807. The phone conversationtakes place, step 809. The phone call ends either by the other partyending the call, or the user pushing the main button to end the call,step 811. After the call ends, the music resumes from the smartphoneoutput, step 813.

FIG. 9 shows a guideline for suggested equipment placement according tosome embodiments. In step 901, the user looks to install the systemcomponents under the dash. Generally speaking, installing the largersystem components, the base unit, the optional FM transmitter and theoptional FM antenna will result in a more aesthetically pleasinginstallation. So while these system components could be installed on thedash or elsewhere in the automobile, it is recommended that they beinstalled under the dash using the under dash mounts optionally providedin the kit. In step 903, the user looks to install some of the systemcomponents on the dash. Although the larger system components could beinstalled on the dash, it is recommended that the system controllershould be installed on the dash. In some vehicles, the controller couldbe installed on the steering wheel. In step 905, the user looks toinstall at least some of the system components clipped to the visor.Another possible placement of the controller is to clip it to the visor.Although this placement is somewhat disadvantageous for the use of apower cord, the placement can be ameliorated by using a third partybattery life extender, similar to those used for cell phones. However, aUSB power cable could be run from this position. As a more finishedinstallation, rather than using the existing lighter power connection, anew lighter power connection could be installed to car power under thedash, effectively hiding the power connections to components mountedunder the dash. A new power connection is a relatively low cost item ina professional installation.

FIG. 10 shows a diagram that the system connects the incoming phonesignals to either the car stereo or to the controller speaker. Thisdrawing is included to illustrate that the smartphone 1001 output isalways provided an output to either the controller speaker 1003 or thecar stereo speakers 1005. If available, because of their higherfidelity, the car speakers 1005 are preferred. However, if they are notavailable, because for example that music from the FM tuner or the CDplayer is playing, the controller speaker 1003 is provided as part ofthe system as a backup speaker.

FIG. 11 shows a flow diagram that indicates, in some embodiments, thesystem constantly checks if it should pipe sound to the stereo or thecontroller speaker by inserting a watermark in the sound and detectingit. In the figure, box 1101 represents the process of the base unitinserting the inaudible tone and then attempting to detect it from thecar speakers. The inaudible tome can be detected whether the connectionbetween the base unit and the car stereo is via a cable, e.g., to theauxiliary selection mode on the car stereo, or via the pre-set FMstation and the FM transmitter. In box 1103, the system issimultaneously transmitting the inaudible tone to the car stereo andattempting to detect it. In box 1105, the decision is made whether thebase unit was successful in detecting the tone. If so, the base unitknows to direct a potential call to the car stereo 1107. If not, thebase unit knows to direct the potential call to the controller speaker1109.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been presented forpurposes of illustration only. It is not exhaustive and does not limitthe embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate from the foregoing description that modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teachings or may beacquired from practicing the embodiments. For example, the describedsteps need not be performed in the same sequence discussed or with thesame degree of separation. Likewise various steps may be omitted,repeated, combined, or performed in parallel, as necessary, to achievethe same or similar objectives. Similarly, the systems described neednot necessarily include all parts described in the embodiments, and mayalso include other parts not described in the embodiments. Accordingly,the embodiments are not limited to the above-described details, butinstead are defined by the appended claims in light of their full scopeof equivalents.

1. A hands-free Bluetooth system comprising: a base unit; and acontroller unit; wherein the controller includes a built-in speaker, abuilt-in microphone and a control button configured to receive an actionfrom a user and transmit to the base unit a signal corresponding to theaction and is configured to: automatically pair through Bluetooth to thebase unit; direct audio signals received from the base unit to thebuilt-in speaker; and wherein the base unit is configured to: pairthrough Bluetooth to a smartphone; connect to an audio system through anaudio connection; upon receiving a signal for an incoming call throughthe smartphone, test whether the base unit is connected to the speakerof the audio system; if connected, direct the incoming call to the audiosystem; and if not connected, direct the incoming call to thecontroller.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein during a phone call: thecontroller is configured to send audio signals received through thebuilt-in microphone to the base unit; and the base unit is configured totransmit audio signals received from the controller to the smartphone.3. The system of claim 1, wherein when not handling a phone call, thebase unit is configured to direct audio signals received from thesmartphone to the audio system.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein thebase unit is configured to test whether the base unit is connected tothe speaker of the audio system by: sending a signal through the audioconnection; detecting whether the signal was received by the built-inmicrophone; and passing the test, indicating that the signal wasreceived by the built-in microphone.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein:during a phone call, the base unit is configured to test whether thebase unit is connected to a speaker of the audio system; and ifconnected to the speaker of the audio system, direct smartphone audiosignals to the audio system.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the audioconnection includes a wired connection to the audio system.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the audio connection includes a wirelessconnection to the audio system.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein thewireless connection includes a radio wave connection.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the base unit is further configured to be poweredthrough a power system of the car.
 10. The system of claim 1, whereinthe audio system of the car is a stereo system.
 11. The system of claim1, wherein the signal corresponding to the action transmitted from thecontroller to the base unit indicates at least one of: answer theincoming phone call; ignore the incoming phone call; and end an incomingphone call.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller furtherincludes a dial for sending a volume adjust signal to the smartphonethrough the base unit.
 13. A method for operating a hands-free Bluetoothsystem including a base unit and a controller unit including a built-inspeaker, a built-in microphone and a control button, the methodcomprising: automatically pairing the controller unit through Bluetoothto the base unit; directing, by the controller, audio signals receivedfrom the base unit to the built-in speaker; pairing the base unitthrough Bluetooth to a smartphone; connecting the base unit to an audiosystem through an audio connection; testing whether the base unit isconnected to the speaker of the audio system; if connected, direct anincoming call from the smartphone to the audio system; and if notconnected, direct the incoming call to the controller.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein during a phone call, the method further comprises:sending audio signals received through the built-in microphone of thecontroller to the base unit; and transmitting, by the base unit, audiosignals received from the controller to the smartphone.
 15. The methodof claim 13, wherein when not handling a phone call, the method furthercomprises directing, by the base unit, audio signals received from thesmartphone to the audio system.
 16. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising: testing whether the base unit is connected to the speaker ofthe audio system by: sending a signal through the audio connection;detecting whether the signal was received by the built-in microphone;and passing the test, indicating that the signal was received by thebuilt-in microphone.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprisingduring a phone call, responsive to passing the test, directingsmartphone audio signals to the audio system.
 18. The method of claim13, further comprising: detecting a signal transmitted from thecontroller to the base unit; determining that the signal indicates atleast one of: answer the incoming phone call; ignore the incoming phonecall; and end an incoming phone call.
 19. The method of claim 13,wherein the controller further includes a dial, and the method furthercomprises sending a volume adjust signal to the smartphone through thebase unit.